GLAD ED Janson Wu Testifies in Support of Ending Conversion Therapy in New Hampshire

GLAD Executive Director Janson Wu testified this afternoon before the New Hampshire General Court Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee in support of HB 1661, which would ban the use of converstion therapy with minors.

The imposition of ‘conversion therapy,’ especially on minors, is a remnant of our nation’s shameful history of oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

House Bill 1661 “prohibits persons licensed to provide professional counseling from engaging in the discredited and harmful practice of seeking to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“The imposition of ‘conversion therapy,’ especially on minors, is a remnant of our nation’s shameful history of oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,” Wu says in his testimony. “Its premise is that homosexuality is abnormal behavior and a mental disorder that must be changed.”

The New Hampshire legislature has a proud history of eradicating discrimination against LGBT people as well as enacting laws that ensure the health, safety, and welfare of children. The passage of HB 1661 is a critical step necessary to further these goals.

GLAD is working to pass HB 1661 in coalition with PFLAG New Hampshire, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Human Rights Campaign, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.